Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts (or thighs) into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Set up your dredging station: Place the flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs in three separate shallow bowls.

Dredge the chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the flour, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat it thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs. Make sure to shake off any excess coating.

Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.

Cook the chicken in batches: Place the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.

Air fry the chicken: Air fry the chicken at 400°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.

Make the orange chicken sauce: In a saucepan, combine the orange juice, orange zest, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, minced ginger, minced garlic, and red chili flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Gradually add the slurry to the simmering sauce, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

Coat the chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and pour the orange chicken sauce over it. Toss the chicken until it is evenly coated with the sauce.

Serve: Garnish the orange chicken with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired. Serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes. Enjoy your homemade Better Than Panda Express Air Fryer Orange Chicken!